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Your First System

This should be good!!! Most of us have been in this expensive hobby for years now and have worked our way up to components we only dreamed of. I want to know what was your first system of separate components going back as far as you can remember. My first consisted of a Pioneer SX-680 receiver, a Technics SLD-1 turntable (I think that's the right model #), a Sharp tapedeck, and KLH floorstanding speakers. I was 16 at the time and thought I was the biggest badass on the block. Now, 20+ years later I have a ML 334, Meridian 507 CD, CJ PV10A, Canton Ergo 900 speakers, and a Transparent Power Isolator 4. I'm in the process of upgrading to a ML 390. It goes without saying the IC's and speaker cables are top notch as well. I know my system is WAAAYYYYY down the foodchain compared to what I've seen here but It would be interesting to see what everyone started out with.
pcook15
alo
25 posts
 
What's sad is most of you were using my equipment for your first system 20-30 years ago. I'm using a Marantz SR2000, a Sony PS-X20 turntable (absolutely worthless) and recently upgraded to a Sony DVP-9000ES. My speakers are Mission 80's or Boston Acoustics A70's. I'm thinking I'm going to turn over everything except the receiver and cd player.
arkprof
182 posts
 
My first "system" was in 1962 or whenever ... a turntable with two speakers that actually locked into place above and below the turntable once it was positioned upright on its side, thus forming a compact suitcase-like affair with a handle. Can't remember the name, like it would be worth remembering, but I do remember having a great time playing LPs, which were probably fairly expensive at $1-$2
vendo81
1 posts
 
It was 1973. I was 16 and living in Santa Barbara California. The father of my oldest brother's girlfriend gave me a 60's era Sherwood tube amplifier and separate tube tuner. I added a early Garrard turntable that was bought at a garage sale and received a set of large Advent speakers for my birthday. I was in audio heaven! I have a photograph of me proudly posing in front of my system and I still have the tube tuner.I don't know why I kept it as I haven't used it since the 70's but would never give it up now as it reminds me of my first real system. I've been through several systems over the years and now have one with a Threshold/Levinson front end pushing B&W Naltilus speakers and I'm seldom really completely satisfied. Back in 73' I was satisfied and the vinyl sounded as great to my 16 year old ears as anything does now.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
In 1970, I started with a Thorens 150 with Stanton 681EEE, a Sony R to R, a Teac cassette deck and Heathkit tube tuner as sources, with Dynaco Pas 3 and Dyna 70 as amplification, driving AR4ax's. All are still in use for my system at the cottage. This system still gives me great pleasure, although my main system is probably a "better" system, mainly due to the fact that the speakers are much better (Totem Mani2's), along with the vinyl source (Oracle Alex III, Rega300 and Bluepoint Special).
Bob P.
sebarnes8455
1 posts
 
Started building it in 1976 with a Pioneer SX-750 receiver, and Pioneer CT-7272 Cassette, Dual 1245 turntable (still have and won't part with), Technics direct drive turntable, MXR 10 band graphic equalizer and the key component, Electro Voice ETR-18 Speakers (still have and will never part with). Later upgraded to Phase Linear amp and pre-amp with 4-Bose 901's for a nightclub. Nothing matches (then or now) the sound reproduction of the ETR-18's (Environmental Transducer Research). Today's digital stuff is crap in comparison.
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